2 weeks post op!

[Guest guest]

Hi Everyone,

Well I'm now 2 weeks post op. My surgery was cancelled 4 times

before it finally took place on March 15th. I'm really glad it's

over with and done. I'm recovering a lot faster than I expected.

The procedure only took about 2 hours. My upper jaw was moved

forward and lowered down. My surgeon did this by cutting the bone

on an angle. I was banded shut and I still am banded 2 weeks later.

My surgeon says I'll need to wear the bands for 2 months. I was

only in the hospital for a couple of days. The first night was

rough, because I was really nauseated. Most likely it was from all

the blood going into my stomach. I used the suction device quite

frequently. The next day I got up and went to brush my teeth. It

was strange looking at myself in the mirror. I had a bloody nose

and swelling. The nose bleeds were quite annoying the first few

days but it's to be expected. I also began to drink out of a cup the

second day and eat a little bit. My parents got me up and walking

around that night because I needed it. There was so much fluid in

my lungs for some reason, so it was nice to cough and get that out.

I went home on the Wednesday following my surgery. It was good to

get home. My mom took great care of me and the Zip N Squeeze bags

worked awesome! I really recommend everyone purchasing them before

you have surgery. I had a lot of blend things the first little

while and by 5th day after my surgery I was able to cut up

Mc's cheeseburgers and put them in my mouth and swallow them.

Eating and drinking is the key to a quick recovery. Sleeping was

really hard the first little while, but it got better after about a

week. Nasal congestion was also a problem but that cleared up after

about 1.5 weeks. I still have some congestion though. The swelling

reached is peak about the 4th or 5th day following my surgery. It's

gone down quite a bit now. I still have a really fat upper lip and

my nose and cheeks are a little swollen. I'm not sure when I'll be

back at work because I talk on the phone all day long. I still get

quite tired during the day and I need to sleep in the afternoons. I

think being 24 years old has also aided in a speedy recovery. I

have a question for other people in the group. Do you know when all

the swelling will go down completely? If anyone has a question for

me please feel free to send me an e-mail or post a message.

Thanks,

[Guest guest]

Sounds as though you're really doing well, . Congratulations!

Why did your surgery have four postponements? I guess it was worth

waiting for, since everything went so smoothly. I think on had

as much trouble scheduling, but that was largely because he was in

Toronto at the time of the SARS troubles. Other than that I don't

remember anybody else who had so many disappointments, once scheduled

into the hospital.

And yes, I think you'll find that talking a lot not only wears you

out, but can cause some swelling, even if it's mostly gone before you

return to work. So try to take it easy, if you can.

Best,

Cammie

> Hi Everyone,

>

> Well I'm now 2 weeks post op. My surgery was cancelled 4 times

> before it finally took place on March 15th. I'm really glad it's

> over with and done. I'm recovering a lot faster than I expected.

> The procedure only took about 2 hours. My upper jaw was moved

> forward and lowered down. My surgeon did this by cutting the bone

> on an angle. I was banded shut and I still am banded 2 weeks

later.

> My surgeon says I'll need to wear the bands for 2 months. I was

> only in the hospital for a couple of days. The first night was

> rough, because I was really nauseated. Most likely it was from all

> the blood going into my stomach. I used the suction device quite

> frequently. The next day I got up and went to brush my teeth. It

> was strange looking at myself in the mirror. I had a bloody nose

> and swelling. The nose bleeds were quite annoying the first few

> days but it's to be expected. I also began to drink out of a cup

the

> second day and eat a little bit. My parents got me up and walking

> around that night because I needed it. There was so much fluid in

> my lungs for some reason, so it was nice to cough and get that

out.

> I went home on the Wednesday following my surgery. It was good to

> get home. My mom took great care of me and the Zip N Squeeze bags

> worked awesome! I really recommend everyone purchasing them before

> you have surgery. I had a lot of blend things the first little

> while and by 5th day after my surgery I was able to cut up

> Mc's cheeseburgers and put them in my mouth and swallow them.

> Eating and drinking is the key to a quick recovery. Sleeping was

> really hard the first little while, but it got better after about a

> week. Nasal congestion was also a problem but that cleared up

after

> about 1.5 weeks. I still have some congestion though. The

swelling

> reached is peak about the 4th or 5th day following my surgery.

It's

> gone down quite a bit now. I still have a really fat upper lip and

> my nose and cheeks are a little swollen. I'm not sure when I'll be

> back at work because I talk on the phone all day long. I still get

> quite tired during the day and I need to sleep in the afternoons.

I

> think being 24 years old has also aided in a speedy recovery. I

> have a question for other people in the group. Do you know when

all

> the swelling will go down completely? If anyone has a question for

> me please feel free to send me an e-mail or post a message.

>

> Thanks,

>